What Orison Swett Marden and Success Magazine Can Teach About Perseverance | #Success - Ep. 62

9 snips

Aug 18, 2025

Discover the fascinating origins of a historic magazine that sparked the personal development movement in America. Uncover the incredible story of Orison Swett Marden, the founder who faced daunting obstacles to publish its first issue. Hear how his perseverance inspired a new wave of entrepreneurs and the timeless principles of success shared within those pages. Marden’s journey is a powerful reminder that determination can lead to transformation, proving that one person's vision truly has the power to change lives.

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ANECDOTE

Rare First Issue Discovery

Russell Brunson found two copies of the very first issue of Success Magazine from December 1897 in his collection.
He describes its design, dense copy, and historical significance to personal development in America.

ANECDOTE

Manuscript Lost To Fire, Rewritten

Orison Swett Marden discovered Samuel Smiles' Self-Help and spent 15 years writing a 5,000-page manuscript.
A hotel fire destroyed that manuscript and Marden rewrote the book from memory, publishing Pushing to the Front.

INSIGHT

Resilience Creates Cultural Change

Marden's recovery illustrates resilience as a core driver of lasting impact in personal development.
A single person's persistent vision can catalyze cultural change across a nation.

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In this episode of The Russell Brunson Show, I dive into one of the rarest treasures in my collection… The very first issue of Success Magazine from December 1897! And the coolest thing is that the story behind this is insanely inspiring!

This was more than just a magazine. It marked the beginning of the personal development movement in America. Its founder, Orison Swett Marden, overcame enormous challenges to publish that first issue, and his story has deeply inspired me during some of my own most difficult seasons in business.

Key Highlights:

The story behind Success Magazine and its role in shaping the personal development movement
The obstacles Orison Swett Marden faced to publish the inaugural issue
How Marden’s perseverance gave me perspective and strength in my own entrepreneurial journey
A look inside the 1897 issue and its early success principles
Why Marden’s mission to change lives still matters today

For me, this first issue is a reminder that persistence and belief in a mission can carry you through any challenge. Marden’s story has fueled my determination, and it can inspire you too!

Wherever you are and whatever challenges you face, his example proves that one person’s vision can change everything!

And, if you’re interested in learning more about what’s inside this first issue of Success Magazine, I’m putting a link below so you can see my notes and thoughts about all the articles and ads in this rare first edition!

Get Russell's book notes here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://russellbrunson.com/notes⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sellingonline.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://clickfunnels.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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